MotoGeno

Hey all,

I just bought a 2008 40th Anniversary 8 a couple of weeks ago and just ran my first autox in it last Sunday (I won B Stock for state event, thank you very much). But I had head clearance issues with my helmet on - I basically had to keep my helmet sticking out of the open sunroof, ha! Is there a way to lower the stock seat height (has to be B Stock legal) or does anyone have a suggestion for a small helmet that's scca legal that might be shorter on my nogin? I'm only 5'10'' so I'm not a giant. Thanks,

dothackRAVE

Friend of mine runs A-Stock in his STI, which has a wheel hub and a Sparco steering wheel. He does not have the same helmet issues like we do, but I noticed his setup significantly extended the steering wheel hub towards you.

This means you can sit further back, and more laid down, giving you more clearance.

However, I am unsure if him being in A-Stock is a result of the rules not caring about such modifications, or if they deem it as a "won't really help you" kind of thing.

PBlue

iTrader: (1)

it happens, just push the helmet down hard on your head, and eventually your headliner will indent a little, you dont sit fully upright anyway, and you get used to it.

chiketkd

iTrader: (5)

I specifically bought a non-sunroof RX-8 for the extra headroom. Even on my car, my helmet still grazes the headliner at times.

Lower the seat bottom using the side adjuster to the lowest position possible, and lean the seat back enough to give your head the necessary clearance.

Congrats on the win!

RK

iTrader: (1)

That's definitely not stock legal.

Chiketkd has the only legal method to correct it. If your just planning on running locally there are a few things you can change on the seat to get you extra clearance. They don't give you a real advantage and wouldn't bother most local autox communities but I wouldn't go past local events with it. Pretty sure you have to have the automatic seats though. Manually adjustable seats can't be lowered.

dothackRAVE

^Manually adjustable seats are lowered with the second lever on the front . You pull up to go up, and push down to go down.

chiketkd

iTrader: (5)

+1

tiresmoker

iTrader: (1)

I believe RK might be making reference to lowering the seat beyond the levers function to gain addition clearence for a helmet.

Case in point..... I have an '05 with power seats/moonroof. 5'8" tall and my helmet would hit the headliner because of the moonroof.

A friend of mine has a shop and I dropped the car off to him. He was able to make adjustments to one of the brackets to gain an additional 1/2" clearance. A local guy here wanted the same thing done, yet he did not have power seats. The adjustment can only be done to the 8's with power seats because I believe it has somthing to do with how the motors may sit/bracketry involved. (don't quote me on that though)

Don't ask me which bracket he fudged with, because I don't know. But.... I do believe that is what RK was making reference to.

I'll try giving him a call to see if I can figure out what exactly he did to the seat to get it to drop about a half inch. If I find out I'll be sure to report back.

MotoGeno

I have the automatic version of the seat, and it's definitely down all the way. If I lean the seat too far back I'm not up on the steering wheel enough. There is a guy who races a Corvette in SS and he had clearance issues that he fixed by taking the springs at the bottom of the seat and stretching them, which allowed the seat to droop further down - just wondering if anyone knows a fix like that for the stock seat. A replacement seat and steering wheel are not options for me at this time, even if it was legal in a stock class which I don't think it is.

tiresmoker

iTrader: (1)

I'll definately give him a call and see what he did to the seats then. I know it worked on my car and now I have just enough room to fit my fingers between the helmet and my headliner

RK

iTrader: (1)

Really? Thanks! Now if someone can just tell me if that milky substance on my dipstick or that shaking I get while iding are normal...

It sounds like tiresmoker's fix should work for you if you need a half-inch or so as long as he eventually figures out how it was done.

Not sure if the other guy who's been trying to figure out how to lower his manual seat enough to fit has checked on stretching the springs. Seems like you should be able to get some more headroom that way. I know recommendations to him included removing some of the stuffing from the chair itself but as a DD that could lead to some discomfort. I'm pretty sure he's going to just say screw BS and get some new seats whenever he sacks up and starts getting on the track.

tiresmoker

iTrader: (1)

Oh gee thanks. The woman had it done for me for my birthday, or else I would have been all over that so I knew everything that happened first hand.

I actually just called Jon a little bit ago to see what he did. As soon as I hear back I'm posting up, so

altiain

iTrader: (3)

Modifying the seat brackets in any way is illegal in SCCA Stock class, as is changing the steering wheel.

Unfortunately, a lot of people have helmet clearance issues in sunroof-equipped RX-8s. Your only legal option is going to be a modified driving position.

tiresmoker

iTrader: (1)

Yes, but in my case/the club I run with, we use the SCCA rulebook as a guidline. Local level stuff.

Plus the SCCA has their heads up their butts about half the rules in that book. In a sense it is basically like saying this:

"You may not modify or adjust your seat bracket in any way to allow you to maintain proper seating postion while out on course and thus potentially putting you into a dangerous situation."

Much like the OP having to drive with his head out the moonroof... Last time I checked you had to have those shut as well. Or driving in such a reclined position that it would cause one to have to reach for the steering wheel.


To be totally honest, it's not that big of a deal, unless you are running at Nationals and someone decides to protest upon you winning...

Like I said, SCCA = heads in their butts.

wishboneracing

Well I cut out some butt foam, and haven't found it uncomfortable at all. Quite easy to do too. No idea of legality, but near impossible to notice the change. See my brief hijack of Race Seats thread
https://www.rx8club.com/rx-8-racing-25/race-seats-148780/page2/

CaptMatt15

I too have this issue, I'm 6-4 and with a 40th (So I have the moonroof). I get over it by sliding the seat forward more than leaning it back, so while my knees are more bent than I'd like, I still have enough room to just rest my head on the ceiling... It sucks, but I love the car so it'll have to do

(oh, and I won my B-Stock class today too, and I won my last race in Novice 2 months ago!)

chiketkd

iTrader: (5)

It ain't legal - but as you mentioned, it'd take a very discerning eye to notice. FWIW, 99.9% of competitors wouldn't care.

MotoGeno

Wow, no way I'm cutting the foam in my seat. Flintstones car it is!

Soloseven

I have a 2005 Touring with a Sunroof and when I wore my Bell Mag 4 I hit the roof frame and had trouble turning my head. I changed over to HJC AC-3 (carbon fiber) and I don't know if I got an inch or a half inch. But I no longer hit the roof and turning my head was no problem. I am about 5'11" and like to sit fairly close to the wheel. Both helmets are open face, and the cost of the HJC was under $400. Hope this helps.

MotoGeno

Thanks for the info - I've been racing with a full face AGV (that cost a lot from back in my motorcycle days) and after your post went and ordered an open face HJC - it's an el cheapo but I'm going to pound it onto my nogin and I bet it will save me an inch or two!